Tell you what, send a letter to a Costa Rican embassy asking them to add some milk to the crater so the tones get "softer and subtler variations." :-p And, the cloud looks solid because is not water mist, it's a hot mix of vapor and gases.

No, would have loved to but I actually had only one day before I had to get on the plane so went to this one, drove around the cafetales and spent the last few hours of the afternoon walking around San Jose. But I gotta go back with more time. Great place CR!

I love the colors, but I agree that the angle seems a little bit off. Also, the photo looks slightly crooked - though could just be an artifact of the way that the lines lead the eye in the photograph though.

SolarTempest: well, don't know what I can tell you about why it looks unnatural to you... maybe the sharp morning light? Those bright glasses you are wearing? I'll just blame your monitor, that's always a good way out!

porkchops: YES! It was definitely the camera! :-) Anyway, I got my N80 now plus my little digital, so maybe I can destroy the graininess curse.